Wieland Markus, Hartig Jörg S
Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
Chem Biol. 2007 Jul;14(7):757-63. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2007.06.005.
RNA-based modules such as riboswitches represent straightforward and simplified approaches for the regulation of gene expression, as no additional proteins are needed. G-rich sequences are known to adopt stable four-stranded structures, and such quadruplexes have been suspected to play important roles in key functions such as the control of gene expression. Here we demonstrate that RNA quadruplexes readily form in vivo. We have constructed mRNA-based G-rich elements that mask the ribosome binding site by folding into four-stranded structures. The suppression of gene expression correlates with the stability of inserted G quadruplexes. Moreover, quadruplexes with moderate stability respond to changes in temperature, thus behaving as artificial RNA thermometers. In conclusion, we introduce tuneable mRNA-based devices that enable modulation of gene expression by a predictable but thus far unknown mechanism.
基于RNA的模块，如核糖开关，代表了调控基因表达的直接且简化的方法，因为无需额外的蛋白质。富含鸟嘌呤（G）的序列已知会形成稳定的四链结构，并且人们怀疑这种四链体在诸如基因表达控制等关键功能中发挥重要作用。在此，我们证明RNA四链体在体内易于形成。我们构建了基于mRNA的富含G的元件，这些元件通过折叠成四链结构来掩盖核糖体结合位点。基因表达的抑制与插入的G四链体的稳定性相关。此外，具有适度稳定性的四链体对温度变化有响应，因此表现为人工RNA温度计。总之，我们引入了基于mRNA的可调装置，其能够通过一种可预测但迄今未知的机制调节基因表达。
